Dratted Crimp Beads

Now everyone will ask you what your crimps were made of, and what you crimped them with... and advise precious metal crimps only, and crimping pliers instead of chain-nose, if you aren't using crimping pliers already.

Which direction you do the second 'curling up' crimp matters, too.

Deirdre

Heehee- great description!!

Which direction you do the second 'curling up' crimp matters, too.>

What do you mean? Seems like, if you are using crimping pliers, it can only go one direction... the rounded ends of the "kidney bean" toward each other... is there more to it than this?

Sue, are you matching your wire and crimp sizes?

:( You have crimping pliers, right? Because it should be easy, and if it's giving you such a hard time, maybe the pliers are off? Are you buying sterling silver srimps? That helps - they are more pliable. I am sorry for your frustration! I know how that goes....

Beadalon has a quick time movie called Crimping Properly you might want to check it out.

Kate McKinnon wrote the best article I ever read about crimping.It was published in the Spring 2003 issue of Step by Step Beads, thatis one of the guide magazines put out by lapidary journal. Jerry Smith Owner Jerry Smith Beads

Thanks for posting that....i think that will be very helpful for me

Me too, which is why I use crimp tubes and crimp pliers.

I always curl mine facing toward the hinge.

The other key to getting good solid crimps, I think, is to make sure that your wire loop is parallel to the crimping surface on the initial crimp. This pretty much guarantees that the "kidney bean" will have 1 wire in each sleeve. I've gotten careless about that a few times, and discovered that the second crimp popped the kidney bean back *out* again instead!

Celine

OK, gotcha, but, which is supposed to be easier? It seems more natural, to me, to curl with the ends of the kidney bean toward the open end of the pliers, rounded part toward the hinge... but, I'm willing to change...

I tend to be paranoid about "breakage", so I usually use two crimp beads at each end, if possible, BUT, it detracts from the look of the finished jewelry, especially bracelets. I usually also squash the finished kidney bean with flat pliers... just to be sure it's tight. And, I give them all a tug, just to be sure that all is well... I worry too much about everything else, too. Gail

I haven't checked to watch what I do (if you know what I mean). But intuitively the curve of the kidney bean (not the dimple) should be at the hinge since that side is touched first by the jaws. And then the two curved forward ends will be pushed toward each other and tucked for a round closure.

Tina

Once your kidney bead is in its round form, leave it alone! Too much squishing will cut into your stringing material. Just put on the crimp bead. Put it into the pliers with a piece of the stringing material on each side of the O so that the first crimp will put the flat spot between the strings. Then round it up and squeeze tightly. Squeeze twice if you want, but leave the flat pliers out of it. Working it too much will give you the opposite result of what you're looking for. Barbara Dream Master

"We've got two lives, one we're given, the other one we make." Mary Chapin Carpenter

This makes sense. Thanks.

Up to now I have used clamshells more often than crimps, but crimping is the ideal ending for some things, and I need to get more practice with it.

Deirdre

I also use clamshells, but I bought a pair of crimping pliers recently and I'm just trying to learn it now. This thread has been really helpful. Thanks to everyone who's offered up their suggestions!

Laura

I think that this 'testing phase' will show you what works best give the way you actually do the crimp. I doubt there is an 'absolutely right way that everyone should use every time'. Your pliers, your grip strength, the nature of the crimp ... they all have to make at least

*some* difference.

I curl the kidney bean toward the hinge, and that works best for me so far. But I'd experiment with something else if it appeared to have advantages. Can't say for sure it would be ideal for you.

Deirdre

These particular crimps were silver. They are the smooth delica-looking tube shaped, not the fluted kind. I use crimping pliers. But I wouldn't have a clue how to describe which direction I'm curling them up!

Suedo (like "pseudo", though I'm no phony baloney!)

It is unusual for genuine sterling crimps to crap out on you. Maybe you need some where the walls of the tube are a bit heavier. What was your source?

I've yet to have a crimp from Monsterslayer fail me. And I am not the world's most skillful crimper, either.

Deirdre

Ooh, good info - I'll be checking that out - thanks! I think my problem is that I'm very strong. I just mash the heck out of the beads if I'm not careful. When my necklace fell apart, I noticed the actual crimp bead was NOWHERE to be found... hmm....how mysterious! LOL

Suedo (like "pseudo", though I'm no phony baloney!)

Yup, Carol - I do use tubes and crimp pliers and I end up mashing them because they never feel like they are tight enough. Idunno. Maybe I'll just go back to what I'M good at - PEYOTE! lol

Suedo (like "pseudo", though I'm no phony baloney!)

Thanks everyone, for all the replies. You've given some great information and I can't wait to get this necklace fixed - cuz I LOVE it! I think maybe I'll just blow some bux on some "waster beads" and sit and crimp all night some night until I get the pressure and position correct every time....ooh, won't THAT be a fun evening???

Suedo (like "pseudo", though I'm no phony baloney!)